Sonoma County residents and travelers are gearing up for a significant disruption in Santa Rosa. Caltrans announced that Eastbound State Route 12 between Dutton Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue will undergo full highway closures and daytime lane closures over two weekends. The closures, set to facilitate a key phase in a comprehensive infrastructure project, promise to test the patience of drivers accustomed to the well-trod path through the heart of wine country.
Starting Friday, January 26 at 8:00 PM, eastbound SR-12 will be completely inaccessible until 8:00 AM the following day, Caltrans said in a statement. A second overnight closure is planned for 8:00 PM on Saturday, January 27, to 8:00 AM on Sunday, January 28. While these interruptions may cause a headache for night owls and early birds alike, they represent a crucial step in the pavement, approach slab, and concrete slab replacement project that began in June 2023.
Daytime hours won't offer much respite, with one of two lanes shuttered from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, January 27, and Sunday, January 28. Motorists have been advised to anticipate "significant delays" or seek alternative routes. The undertaking is part of a broader initiative to restore a three-mile section of SR-12 extending from Llano Road to Farmers Lane. This thoroughfare serves as the backbone of Santa Rosa's transport network.
The need for such comprehensive closures stems from safety considerations and the nature of the construction tasks. Caltrans asserts, "The weekend closures are necessary for worker and public safety and will allow Caltrans to accelerate the demolition and reconstruction of concrete pavement slabs" – processes that could otherwise stretch into weeks or months of overnight work. It’s a trade-off: concentrated inconvenience for an expedited return to normalcy.
According to their statement, Caltrans has extended thanks to the public and committed to keeping residents informed. All closures are subject to the whims of the weather, with contingencies in place should inclement conditions force postponement or cancellation of the planned work.
